Preparations continued for the South Limerick Cumann na mBunscol competitions today as our girls team travelled to Ballylanders to play Bunscoil na Toirbhirte (Mitchelstown) in a challenge game.
There were excellent performances right throughout the team and the game was played in a great spirit.
We had four teams who played very well in games against our neighbours Caherline NS.
Our boys football team took a step further than any previous team in the school’s history to represent South Limerick in the County Football Finals. In the semi-final Herbertstown were paired with the City champions Ballybrown NS. Despite a spirited performance, a few second half goals saw the Clarina school pull away and get the win.
Our Anthony Baggott Cup hurling tournament returned on June 16th following a three year absence. The large crowd in attendance were treated to a festival of hurling from the four participating schools; Caherline NS, Hospital NS, Herbertstown NS and Knockainey NS. There was also an exhibition game featuring the junior and senior infant pupils from Herbertstown NS.
Following the round robin games, Knockainey NS and Herbertstown NS qualified for the final. This was a meeting of two of the South’s most impressive teams of 2022. Knockainey NS – the Roinn A football and hurling champions. Herbertstown NS – the Premier football champions and Premier hurling finalists.
It’s little wonder then that the final was very competitive with the standard of hurling was at a very high level. When the dust settled, Knockainey had got the crucial scores and had done enough to claim the honours. Afterwards Eileen Baggott presented the Anthony Baggott Cup to the Knockainey captain.
Sincere thanks to everyone who helped to prepare the field, who donated food and helped with the tea and refreshments on the day. Thanks also to Hospital/Herbertstown GAA for their continued support. It was a great day for the school and the community.
On Friday, our final fixture of the year took place. Our team travelled to Knockainey to play our neighbours in a competition for third and fourth class pupils. This South Limerick Primary Schools event is an opportunity for the younger pupils to showcase their talents. With numbers a little tight, our third and fourth class boys were bolstered by the addition of the boys in second class. After an exciting, sporting game with Knockainey NS, Herbertstown edged a narrow win.
In the moments after the game, Christina Greensmyth presented the Harry Greensmyth Cup to the Herbertstown captain. How fitting that a cup named after Harry is presented to many players who were playing for the first time for their school when Harry himself did so much to promote gaelic games over many decades.
In what is becoming an incredible year for the school in Cumann na mBunscol competitions, our girls team captured the South Roinn A camogie title today in Martinstown. This is the first time the school has won the Roinn A division and only its second camogie title.
The girls had three tough fixtures to negotiate on the route to the title. Against Hospital NS scores from Molly, Sinéad and Lucy helped the school get off to a confidence building start.
The second game against Kilfinane NS saw the team produce another commanding display all over the field. On the scoresheet in this game were; Molly, Lucy, Róisín and Katie.
The final game of the day was against the camogie stronghold of Galbally. Herbertstown rose to the challenge and ran out convincing winners with scores from Molly, Lucy, Róisín and Katie.
Massive congratulations to the girls on a fantastic achievement. Well done to Mr. Franklin and Ms Mann who put in a huge amount of work coaching these girls all year.
The school’s hurlers travelled to Kilmallock on May 24th to participate in the top hurling division of the South for the first time in 34 years. Any thought that this talented bunch of players would not be able to compete at this level was quickly dispelled after a quality performance in the semi-final. Herbertstown ran out convincing winners over Bruree NS to set up a meeting with Kilmallock in the final.
Kilmallock NS 1.07
Herbertstown NS 1.06
Fitzgerald Park in Kilmallock was in immaculate condition for the final and shortly after referee Josh Dineen threw in the ball, all in attendance quickly realised that the teams were very evenly matched. Points were exchanged in the early stages and midway through the first half the scores were level at 3 points each. Kilmallock then edged in front and looked to be headed into the break with a two point lead. A long delivery from their goalkeeper managed to split the Herbertstown defence and a Kilmallock forward pounced to rattle the net. The two point deficit had suddenly become 5 and Herbertstown were left with a minor mountain to climb. H/T: Kilmallock 1.05 Herbertstown 0.03
Such has been the belief of this bunch all through the year, the team in maroon came roaring back into the game in the second half. The Kilmallock lead was chipped away and with only moments remaining the scores were level. The game would be decided when a Kilmallock defender won a free and their freetaker, to his credit, held his nerve to split the posts. The final whistle would sound shortly afterwards.
Herbertstown scorers: Ciarán 1.03, Jack 0.02, Darragh 0.01
Tremendous credit is due to the Herbertstown team who came within a whisker of completing a South Premier double.
Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach.
The busy final term of sporting action continued today with our girls travelling to Martinstown to compete in the Roinn B football competition.
Two wins over the famed football nurseries of Galbally NS and Ballylanders NS set up a final meeting with Emly NS.
The Herbertstown team saved their best performance for the final as they recorded a resounding victory. There were some great scenes of celebration as the girls returned to the school with their silverware.
Congratulations to the team and their coach Mr Franklin on a fantastic win.
The venue for the Premier football was Bruree and the games were refereed by Josh Dineen of Galbally. The slight hill in the Bruree pitch was offset by a strong breeze blowing back up towards the village.
In the semi-final, Herbertstown recovered from a slow start to record a 7 point victory. In the early stages, some direct running from Kilmallock culminated with the ball being crashed to the net. The team in maroon responded well and slowly edged in front with some neat points. Two goals in the second half were to prove crucial in maintaining an advantage as Kilmallock tried to mount a comeback. The hardworking Herbertstown players would not be denied and a place in the final was secured.
Herbertstown NS scorers: Seán Conway (1.03), Jack McNamara (1.01), David Monks (0.01), David Mulcahy (0.01), Jack Collins (0.01), Fionn Mulcahy (0.01)
The Premier final started shortly after 1pm with a good attendance from Herbertstown and from Bruree, who had a large number of their pupils supporting on the sideline.
The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams working hard in possession but not being effective in front of goal. This tense nature of the game was illustrated by the fact that there was no score in the first half.
The second half burst into life when the first score arrived via a Herbertstown 45. Another 45 and a free gave Herbertstown momentum before some Bruree points brought it back to a one score game. This did not deter the Herbertstown team as they rallied to score a goal and stretch four points ahead. The final moments saw a barrage of attempts on the Herbertstown goal but the only result was a single white flag as Herbertstown held on to win by 3 points.
Herbertstown NS scorers: David Monks (0.03) Jack McNamara (1.00)
John English presented the South Limerick Premier Cup to a Herbertstown captain for the first time, triggering great celebrations, both on the field in Bruree and when the team returned to the school.
Well done to our fantastic bunch of players who produced two absolutely terrific performances! They will now go forward to represent the South in the County Championship on June 13th.
The Herbertstown girls reached the South final after wins over Knockainey, Ballylanders and Emly. Despite a spirited display in the final, Bruree NS claimed the South title.
Our boys’ team reached the semi-final of the competition following wins over Ballylanders NS and Hospital NS. In a tight and tense game with Emly NS, Herbertstown went agonising close to getting through, with a fine save denying Herbertstown a goal with the final kick of the game as Emly won by 2 points.
In the camogie, Herbertstown had wins over Knocklong and Kilfinane. Hospital NS edged an exciting clash of neighbours and this was enough to send them through to the final.
Herbertstown and Knockainey met in the opening round of the competition and all that separated two evenly matched teams at the end of the game was 1 goal, which was scored by the boys in black in the final minute. Herbertstown regrouped to record a win over Hospital NS but Knockainey had done enough to secure passage to the South Final where they beat Kilmallock NS.
Attention now turns to the main Cumann na mBunscol competitions in the coming weeks.